Larry J. Bailey

KEGLEY - On April 25th, 2025 regretfully our father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend Larry J. Bailey departed this world for the next.
Larry was visiting his daughter and her family in Lexington, KY this past February when he had a stroke which led to his hospitalization. Larry's condition improved for a few weeks, and he was able to talk to his family and friends. Eventually, despite attempts at rehabilitation to return to his daughter's home, he succumbed to complications. Larry, as was typical, put up the good fight
Larry had been living in Kegley, WV, just outside of Princeton, for the majority of his adult life. He and his wife Betty Lou raised two children there, Michael and Carla, who both attended Spanishburg high school. After losing Betty to an unexpected illness in 2015, Larry began spending more time with his adult children, alternating between their Lexington KY and Lake Wylie SC. homes.
Larry was born in Matoaka, WV, and for the most part raised there by his maternal grandmother Hester Viola Shrewsbury. His mother would often visit him there. His sister Freddie Sims, sixteen years younger, would spend the summers with them. His brother "Ray" Whitaker was also a frequent visitor. As Larry got older, he much enjoyed spending summers with his "Aunt Polly" [Pauline Shrewsbury Hughes] at their Monroe Co WV farm. Larry would often speak fondly of being on the farm, riding the old horse with a friend, and exploring the land. Larry revisited the farm multiple times in his adult years, despite it no longer being in the family.
During his later childhood years Larry would spend time in Kegley, WV, playing with his cousins Paul T and Charles Shrewsbury [known at that time by "Rudy." Paul T eventually married and moved to Danville, VA, but Charles lived across the road from Larry all of his adult life. Larry and Charles remained good friends.
Larry had a brilliant mind, excelling in schoolwork. He was able to analyze mechanical and electronic processes at the highest level. He spent some time studying at West Virginia University after high school. After marriage, Larry and Betty moved to Pontiac Michigan for a time where he worked at his brother Bud's garage and honed his mechanical skills. After a time Larry got a job with General Motors in Lansing, MI and worked there for a while.
After returning to Princeton WV Larry and Betty lost their 8 year old son Greg in a tragic accident. The death of their firstborn deeply affected the couple for the duration of their lives.
In Princeton, WV Larry worked at Rockwell International for 17 years altogether. After the plant closed down, he worked a variety of electronic related jobs until he started Norfolk and Southern in Bluefield WV. He proved to be a significant asset to the Railroad's signal department. He retired from this position. He was awarded for the years of excellence in safe job performance there.
Larry became a grandfather in his fifties. He was blessed with two granddaughters, Rebecca E. Sanders and Laura Beth Bailey, and one grandson, Daniel Adam Sanders, with whom he was particularly close.
During Larry's later years he rekindled his relationship with his younger sister Freddie who became a source of comfort and support for him.
Of significant importance was the relationship Larry enjoyed with his neighbors, Levi King and his family. Levi became not just a neighbor and helper, but a dear friend over the years, providing the support Larry needed to take care of his property in his older age. Larry on occasion would describe Levi as "like a son" to him. Larry also was blessed with the friendship of Patrick and Kay Shrewsbury who lived nearby, Kay frequently supplying Larry with homecooked meals. After Larry's wife Betty passed in 2015 he also enjoyed trout fishing at times with his neighbor Terry Griffith.
Larry's previous son-in-law William H Sanders III [Henry] continued to be a part of his life and was a great support during the past few years of Larry's life.
Larry was a striking figure of a man, tall, handsome, and strong. He loved to hunt, fish, and be outdoors. His gardening skills were such that his gardens provided ample food for more than his own family. In his middle years he enjoyed reading western novels, such as those by Louis Lamour. You could say Larry loved the 'old ways" but enjoyed being involved in new technology as well. He enjoyed his cell phone, Facebook, and You Tube. His parting has left a painful void in our lives and he will be sadly missed.
Larry is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou Calfee Bailey, son Gregory Lawrence Bailey, brother Raymond Whitaker, brothers Gene and Bud Bailey, and cousin Charles Rupert Shrewsbury..
Larry is survived by his daughter Carla Bailey Sanders, granddaughter Rebecca E. Sanders, and grandson Daniel Adam Sanders, all of Lexington, KY; son Michael Bailey, daughter in law Laurie Walker Bailey, granddaughter Laura Beth Bailey Raper and husband Brett Raper all of Lake Wylie SC; sister Freddie Sims Traister and brother in law Duane Traister of Dunedin, FL, cousin Paul T. Shrewsbury and wife Linda Shrewsbury of Danville, VA, cousin Judy Shrewsbury Raines and husband Bud Raines of Princeton, WV, and second cousins Mark Shrewsbury and Chad Shrewsbury of the Princeton, WV area.
A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Friends and family attending the service are asked to meet at the cemetery.
Arrangements by Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.